Powers of the Six (31 page)

“She changed my heart,” Emery continued, “and set the precedence for us to leave. Because of your mother’s death, this village began. Because of her courage, we are all here. And I believe it will, in turn, save Adamah someday.”

Nolan left them. Emery took his place, sitting next to Alec on the stones. They talked more, but this time the conversation was calm.

The four lights of Brim flickered as a cloud passed over them. Megan joined Nolan, silently watching Alec and Emery. Blood coated her dress and smeared across her face. Even though she was a mess, she was still pretty to Nolan.

“Hi,” she said. “What a day, huh?”

Nolan snorted. “Yeah, I’ll say.” He motioned toward her bloodied dress. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s not your fault.” She examined him. “You look good, Nolan. The village air suits you. And you fight well! I had no idea.”

Warmth rose to his cheeks. He didn’t actually think she’d notice. “Neither did I. Alec taught me while you were gone.”

“You’re a good student.”

“He’s a good teacher.”

She grinned. Her teeth were straight and white, a perfect accessory to her full lips. “Or probably it’s a little of both.”

Nolan lowered his eyes, pulling at the neck of his tunic. Why did she always make him feel so warm?

“Emery needs me,” Megan said.

Nolan followed her gaze. Alec flared his Speed and left, leaving Emery alone. Emery lowered his head, fingers lacing through the bloodied tangles of his black hair. Nolan had never seen him so depressed.

Megan locked eyes with Nolan. “We really haven’t gotten the chance to talk much, have we?”

“It’s okay. You made up for it by saving me again.”

“You do get into a bit of trouble.” Megan leaned in, and her breath touched Nolan’s ear. “I missed you.” Her lips brushed his cheek, and she darted away.

So many thoughts rushed through him: joy, nervousness, and shock. The sensation of her lips lingered—at least until he saw Megan hovering over Emery.
Crows! That girl is driving me crazy!

He inhaled, relaxing.
Emery’s not interested in her. He told me so.
But what about Megan? Every time she was with Emery, she stared at him like a smitten child.
Did she love him?
He snorted.
No, of course not. She’d just kissed me.

Emery and Megan walked away, whispering to each other. Megan waved at Nolan as they left.

Nolan pressed his fingertips into his temples. Emery had the advantage of sensing emotions, whereas Nolan only guessed.
Sometimes life would be easier if I could read emotions, too.

He froze.

What if he could?

Slowly, his eyes drifted to the Empathy symbol on the ground: three purple lines, crossing to form a triangle, a small circle of light in its center, resembling an all-knowing eye.

He looked around. The temple had cleared, leaving him alone.

Taking a step toward the light, he hesitated. He still hadn’t completely grasped his new ability. So why would he be stupid enough to take another? Three days he’d been unconscious. Why in Brim’s light would he risk his life again?

Nolan knew why. The reason came with beautiful brown curls, full lips, and penetrating green eyes. If he could find out how she felt, even for just a minute, he’d risk almost anything to know. Maybe nothing would happen. Maybe the last time had been an accident. There was only one way to find out.

Nolan took a deep breath and stepped into the light of Empathy.

Chapter Twenty-Five

NOLAN STOOD IN THE white mists again. This time, a green meadow stretched as far as he could see. The mists swirled around him in thin patches, lightly caressing his skin. Ahead, a figure stood, silhouetted in a magnificent sunset.

Greer crossed his arms over his massive chest. The long grass brushed against his armored shins as hues of orange and pink outlined his formidable frame. He turned as if sensing Nolan’s presence; the white light of his eyes glowed even more intensely than at their last meeting. He was more intimidating than Nolan remembered.

“It is good to speak with you again, Master,” Greer said with a subtle bow of his broad head.

“Master” was an odd touch.
At least my dreams are creative.
“Where are we?”

“We are in a placeholder of your mind.”

“So this is a dream?” Nolan had figured this out already.

“Of sorts,” Greer answered, a smile hinting across his mouth. “Would you do me the honor of walking with me, Master?”

The sunlight faded, yet a ring of light illuminated Greer as they continued across the field. In deaf-like silence they walked, their steps soundless as they brushed through the grass. The darkness deepened with the departure of the sun, and yet they strolled as if by day.

“How do you do that?” Nolan asked.

Greer chuckled. “When one is made of light, one has little choice.” He stopped and turned, towering over Nolan, making him feel like a young boy. “Our time is short,” he said. “I must come to the point of this meeting. You now have four of the stones?”

Nolan’s mouth opened. How did he know? But of course, it was Nolan’s dream.

“Alcandor will soon sense the stones’ reunification,” Greer continued. “It won’t be much longer until your village is in danger.”

“King Alcandor knows of the stones?”

Greer frowned. “Yes.”

“What should we do?”

“Your only chance will be to obtain the remaining two stones before Alcandor can find them. Then you must combine them. Combining all six will give you the answers you seek. Only then will you have the knowledge to free Adamah from Alcandor … and from itself.”

Free Adamah from itself? Nolan waited for more explanation. Instead, the warrior stared into the darkness, frowning.

The last time Nolan had fallen into this strange dream, his visit with Greer had been short. That brief moment had lasted nearly three days in the real world. This time, it seemed like hours had passed. Nolan sucked a breath. Crows! How long had he been unconscious this time?

“Greer, why am I here?” Nolan’s heart accelerated. “Why combine these stones? What do you mean by combine, and what will happen if we don’t find the other two? How do you know so much? And why are you telling me all this?”

Greer chuckled. “So many questions, Master Nolan.” He puffed his chest. “I believe you are here to save us all.”

It was Nolan’s turn to laugh.

Greer raised a brow. “Is it so difficult to consider?”

“Yes, it is. I had no idea I could dream such a self-absorbed image of grandeur.”

“Ah! So you do not believe I am real.”

“How can I?” Nolan said. “I’ve never seen anything like you.”

“At one time, we walked among you.”

“What are you?” Nolan asked, adding another question to the long list.

“You have asked me that question twice.” Greer inhaled a deep breath, his muscular chest expanding. “I am a servant to mankind, light created to protect Brim’s most favorite creation. I am a Guardian.”

“Wait. You said you weren’t a Guardian.”

“Circumstances changed my mind.”

Nolan stared. “But Guardians are extinct.”

Greer smiled, and one eyebrow rose over his white-orbed eye. “Perhaps we are, and this is truly only a dream.” Greer’s countenance changed. He glanced around and then stepped away. “Please forgive me, Master Nolan. We have run out of time again.” His image began to die away. “Until our next meeting.”

Greer’s light faded into a darkness so thick and humid, Nolan felt as if he’d choke. Through the nothingness, a voice called out, faintly at first, then louder as his consciousness became reality.

“Nolan! Wake up.”

Nolan jerked awake, gasping. His eyes popped open to Alec glaring down.

“I’ve been looking for you all morning!” Alec said.

Nolan blinked, trying to clear the throbbing through his skull. Daylight filtered through the domed ceiling, and a chorus of birds tweeted above, as well as the occasional bird picking morsels off the floor. Nolan still lay in the temple, though it was too early for the sun to bring the Shay lights.

“You told me you’d meet me at the practice field,” Alec said, “and now I find you here? What’s gotten into you?”

Morning. He must’ve lain unconscious all night.

Only one night.

“You slept here?” Alec said. “By the light, Nolan, what were you thinking? It’s a good thing you weren’t killed by the Dor’Jan.”

Alec was angry. The situation with Emery and Kardos had surely dragged him down. Dark rings circled his eyes, as if he’d slept even worse than Nolan. Sadness permeated Alec, too. Nolan could feel it in his friend. But Alec tried to hide it behind his anger.

Alec flinched, his head whipping toward the temple entrance. “Someone else is here.”

A strange ache pounded Nolan’s head. He groaned.

Alec hesitated, still staring at the entrance. He turned to Nolan, helping him to his feet. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Nolan staggered a few steps.

“You don’t look fine,” Alec said. At least he wasn’t angry anymore; concern poured from him instead.

Alec gasped, his eyes widening.

Nolan slammed his eyelids closed, but it was too late. In the brief moment they connected, Nolan sensed … realization.

“Crows, Nolan.” Alec grabbed his arm. “What was that?”

“Nothing!” Nolan lied, squeezing his lids tighter.

“Your eyes were purple.”

“It must’ve been the light reflecting—”

“Crows, Nolan. You’re lying!”

Nolan turned before opening his eyes. “I’m going home. I have a headache.”

Before he took a step, Alec appeared in front of him with Speed. The Shay of Empathy in Nolan responded immediately.

“By Brim!” Alec said with a triumphant tone to his voice. “I knew it!” His emotions were quickly replaced by anger and betrayal.

Nolan pushed by Alec, walking in determined, yet staggering, steps toward the exit.

Alec appeared in his path again, anger still pouring from him. Then it slowly switched to confusion. “How in Darkness did you get Empathy? I mean … only the king …”

Nolan wasn’t sure if it was from his new power, or from Alec’s revelation, but his head spun. His stomach lurched so hard Nolan thought he might vomit.

Alec was there, supporting his arm and helping him to the side of the temple wall.

What else have I gained besides these powers?

The king had obtained an ageless life. Some even said he was immortal. The horror of that thought flitted in his mind, along with so many others, he could scarcely focus. Nolan lowered his head into his hands, the weight of this new power pressing on him even more.

“The light,” Nolan said. “I stood in the light of Empathy.”

“The light gave you a second Shay?”

Nolan swallowed.
By Brim, my head aches.
“No. It gave me a third.”

“Three?” Alec inhaled a quick breath. “You have Perception, don’t you?”

He nodded.

“Three Shay powers?” Alec’s confusion switched to a swell of excitement. “Well, it explains what happened to your eyes. I’ve been wondering why you haven’t been wearing your spectacles.” He motioned toward the light of Strength. “Would this one would work as well?”

“This isn’t a game, Alec. I didn’t want these powers.”

Alec held his hands in defense. “Okay, okay. Just wondering, that’s all.”

He sat next to Nolan in silence. Nolan didn’t dare look at him; every time he did his friend poured out so many emotions it hurt Nolan’s head. Finally, he met his gaze and sensed a question on the tip of Alec’s tongue.

“What?” Nolan said with an exasperated sigh.

“It’s just … Well, I can understand how you didn’t expect the Perception power. But if you already knew what might happen, why would you step into the Empathy light too?”

“I didn’t
know
if it would work.”

“So you thought you’d give it a go, just in case?”

The sarcasm was thick in Alec’s emotions. It gave Nolan an overwhelming desire to smack him. But as much as he hated to admit it, Alec was right.

“No,” Nolan said. “It was because of Megan.”

At first Alec was confused, and then realization—with a touch of amusement—took its place. Alec’s head was like someone flipping through a book while you were trying to read the pages.

“Ah,” Alec said. “It makes perfect sense to me. Why, if I could figure out what Taryn was thinking half the time, I’d be tempted to step into the Empathy light as well.”

Then his emotions shifted—hardened. “Or if it helped me understand my father. Emery seems to have this wild idea that he cares about me.”

“You’re still speaking to Emery?”

Alec threw his hands up. “Crows, Nolan. I have no idea what to think anymore. I want to hate him, but I can’t do it. Especially after everything he told me last night.”